Hot Tuna Live At The Fillmore West 3Rd July 1971

Three months after Hot Tuna released 1971's live First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, they played the second to last night of the Fillmore West's closing weekend. Bill Graham had put together a week of festivities, and each night showcased a spectacular triple bill. (For example, the night before had seen the Rowan Brothers, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Grateful Dead.) On the second to last night, Hot Tuna took the stage between Yogi Phlegm (a few members of Sons of Champlin) and Quicksilver Messenger Service. What's captured here is their entire, nearly-two-hour set. The lineup -- Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Papa John Creach, and Sammy Piazza -- is arguably the band's greatest. The quality of this show is simply indisputable. It's inspired, kinetic, and showcases just how integral the language of improvisation was to their approach in playing classic blues. Most of the material is taken from the group's first two albums. Highlights are hard to choose given the startling intensity